6 September 2005

South African nurses working abroad have been urged to apply for positions that are constantly advertised in the country's various provinces and hospitals.

The plea emerged at a meeting over the weekend between Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang and about 200 South African nurses working in the United Kingdom.

The meeting, chaired by SA High Commissioner to London Lindiwe Mabuza, was held at the SA High Commission in London at the request of the Association of South African Nurses in the UK (Asanuk).

The Department of Health said the meeting gave the nurses an opportunity to share their views about how best to contribute to the improvement of health service delivery in South Africa.

They also discussed the implementation of an agreement between SA and the UK on recruitment of health personnel, improved remuneration and working conditions for nurses, employment opportunities for those returning to SA, the retention of good performers, and improving the caring ethos in the nursing profession.

Skills learnt
Asanuk chairperson Mmapule Tladi-Small said a number of the nurses like to contribute to better health services "back at home" using the skills acquired while working in a developed setting like Britain.

Tshabalala-Msimang updated the nurses on interventions being made to improve working conditions in South Africa's public health sector, including the provision of a rural and scarce skills allowance.

'Urgent need'
Last week, the department announced several measures both to increase the number of nurses in the country and to improve their distribution around the country.

This includes reintroducing the training of enrolled nurses in order to lift the load from overstretched professional nurses, as well as reopening some of the nursing colleges that were closed down in the past in order to boost the overall number of nurses available in the country.

Reopening these colleges, Tshabalala-Msimang said, would require recruiting academics such as tutors and clinical facilitators back to SA's public health service.

Department spokesperson Sibani Mngadi said the majority of nurses at the meeting had expressed a desire to return to work in SA.

Tshabalala-Msimang urged the nurses to work closely with her department in addressing any challenges that might hinder their return to SA.

Source: BuaNews

Want to use this article in your publication or on your website? See: Using SAinfo material

	Some 15% to 20% of the population have excellent access to health services, while 75% to 80% of South Africans have limited or no access (Image: Department of Health)

	Charter to improve healthcare Massive resources to combat Aids Revitalising SA's hospitals, clinics Recognition for traditional healers UK to curb poaching of SA doctors SA to train 'medical assistants' Helping South Africans come home

	Department of Health  SA High Commission, London